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Is the water activated grip tape any good, and easy to use? I've always use the "old style" grip tape with mineral spirits, to install grips. Also if I wanted to remove and save a grip would I load water into my grip shooter instead of mineral spirits? Thanks.

I'm also interested in people's experience with this type of tape. I'm about to order some grips and tape to regrip for the first time. This water based tape has been mentioned in a few threads during my searches, but there wasn't a definitive answer...

Seems like water+windex is the best way to use this type of tape in order to avoid a real messy clean up for subsequent regrip jobs. Can any experts chime in?

Water activated tape is a PITA to remove. It works fine as long as you don't ever plan on regripping. If you do, get solvent based tape. It comes off muuuuuuch easier. Ever removed factory tape from a Titleist? They use water activated tape and it's a pain. I hate that stuff.

I just started regripping my clubs this summer and decided to go with the water activated tape, as I didn't want to get into the hassle of buying mineral spirits and having to clean it all up afterwards. A spray bottle filled with water and little dishwashing liquid works great. Just spray it into the grip and then onto the tape and slide the grip onto the shaft. I've read where others have said that the water activated tape takes a little while longer to dry, but it also gives you more time to make adjustments to the grip to make sure you have it on correctly. I have removed the grip and water activated tape from one club, and I didn't find it any harder or easier than the solvent based tape. I haven't tried saving a grip, so I can't provide any insight to that end.

I just started regripping my clubs this summer and decided to go with the water activated tape, as I didn't want to get into the hassle of buying mineral spirits and having to clean it all up afterwards. A spray bottle filled with water and little dishwashing liquid works great. Just spray it into the grip and then onto the tape and slide the grip onto the shaft. I've read where others have said that the water activated tape takes a little while longer to dry, but it also gives you more time to make adjustments to the grip to make sure you have it on correctly. I have removed the grip and water activated tape from one club, and I didn't find it any harder or easier than the solvent based tape. I haven't tried saving a grip, so I can't provide any insight to that end.

How long had the water based tape that you removed been on there? If it hadn't been on a week or two and had had time to get to full cure, then you haven't really had the pleasure of removing tape that's water activated in it's nastiest form. Oh, and the longer it's on there, the worse it gets.

Water activated tape is a PITA to remove. It works fine as long as you don't ever plan on regripping. If you do, get solvent based tape. It comes off muuuuuuch easier. Ever removed factory tape from a Titleist? They use water activated tape and it's a pain. I hate that stuff.

I've been using the stuff since it first came out and love it. So versatile I've actually regripped clubs in the parking lot and in the middle of a round. Always carry a couple of precut strips in my bag and an extra grip or two. A pocket knife and a bottle of water and you're set. By using just water without the Windex or dishsoap additive, they dry superfast and are ready to swing in five minutes or less (just get em' on right the first time!). As for removing, just use one of the little rod type tools that Golfsmith or GolfWorks sells. Work the rod down into the grip and add a little water as you go and they slip right off unharmed to use another day. As for removing the tape, I've never thought it was any harder then conventional tape. Again, I usually use one of the little concave scraper tools designed for the purpose but it's no big deal at all if you do it this way. Get a much cleaner surface for regripping that way anyhow. Plus, I hate the smell of the solvents and they're a pain to dispose of. I gotta think that it's at least worth a try and if you don't like it it's not like some major investment down the drain. Good luck deciding.

I've been using the stuff since it first came out and love it. So versatile I've actually regripped clubs in the parking lot and in the middle of a round. Always carry a couple of precut strips in my bag and an extra grip or two. A pocket knife and a bottle of water and you're set. By using just water without the Windex or dishsoap additive, they dry superfast and are ready to swing in five minutes or less (just get em' on right the first time!). As for removing, just use one of the little rod type tools that Golfsmith or GolfWorks sells. Work the rod down into the grip and add a little water as you go and they slip right off unharmed to use another day. As for removing the tape, I've never thought it was any harder then conventional tape. Again, I usually use one of the little concave scraper tools designed for the purpose but it's no big deal at all if you do it this way. Get a much cleaner surface for regripping that way anyhow. Plus, I hate the smell of the solvents and they're a pain to dispose of. I gotta think that it's at least worth a try and if you don't like it it's not like some major investment down the drain. Good luck deciding.

Thinking about doing my grips for the first time and these water activated grips are pretty cheap. 50 cents for a precut strip of water activated grip tape.

Would one of these strips be enough to regrip one club or would you need to use 2 of these strips to regrip one club? What's wrong with using solvents besides the smell? I was thinking of going the traditional route with grip tape and solvent/mineral spirits for my first regrip but after reading your post I'm thinking of going water activated grip tapes and a spray bottle of windex I just happen to have lying around the house.

I use those same strips from GS, one strip per club (unless you plan on building the size up)

the nice thing about no solvents is that I often regrip in my living room, getting a little soapy water spilled around is probably making my place cleaner than when I started (being a bachelor and all) . it's nice to have one less cannister of toxic junk lying around the house. I've done grips with water based tape, and regular tape and I see no drawbacks to the soapy water solution instead of solvent.

I have had no issues with the water based tape being any worse to remove later than any other kind of tape

I wonder if the people complaining are just griping about re-gripping titleist clubs, or clubs that they've personally used water based tape on before. I haven't regripped any Titleist clubs, but I have regripped plenty that I'd done myself before and I notice no difference in the tape being a problem to remove.

I use those same strips from GS, one strip per club (unless you plan on building the size up)

the nice thing about no solvents is that I often regrip in my living room, getting a little soapy water spilled around is probably making my place cleaner than when I started (being a bachelor and all) . it's nice to have one less cannister of toxic junk lying around the house. I've done grips with water based tape, and regular tape and I see no drawbacks to the soapy water solution instead of solvent.

I have had no issues with the water based tape being any worse to remove later than any other kind of tape

I wonder if the people complaining are just griping about re-gripping titleist clubs, or clubs that they've personally used water based tape on before. I haven't regripped any Titleist clubs, but I have regripped plenty that I'd done myself before and I notice no difference in the tape being a problem to remove.

After reading your post I think I'm gonna go with the water activated grip tapes. Thanks

I agree that you won't be disapointed. Plus, you'll never know without giving it a shot. How about posting an update afterwards? I'd be interested to know how it worked out and what your opinion is after trying it. Hope I didn't mislead you in any way but I'm confident you'll like it. Solvent might not be real expensive but water's certainly cheaper!

I've been using water activated tape for about 3-4 years, and have never had any problem whatsoever removing old tape, even on grips 2-3 years old. Even if I did, I'd buy a tape scraper.

I'll never use solvent activated tape again. Harsh on the environment, usually flammable, obnoxious odor, can be harmful to eyes, skin, clothing, etc... And if you run out doing grips late one evening, good luck getting more.

One tip. Not all water activate tape is the same, so try only water the first grip and if it's too difficult add a bit of dishwashing liquid and/or windex. They help the grip slip on easier, but prolong the drying time.

They used to sell it in rolls too but apparently it's out of stock. I have never had a problem with this stuff, even upon removal of the tape. Plus, with a child around, I can regrip in the living room... he even helps me know.

I just started regripping my clubs this summer and decided to go with the water activated tape, as I didn't want to get into the hassle of buying mineral spirits and having to clean it all up afterwards. A spray bottle filled with water and little dishwashing liquid works great. Just spray it into the grip and then onto the tape and slide the grip onto the shaft. I've read where others have said that the water activated tape takes a little while longer to dry, but it also gives you more time to make adjustments to the grip to make sure you have it on correctly. I have removed the grip and water activated tape from one club, and I didn't find it any harder or easier than the solvent based tape. I haven't tried saving a grip, so I can't provide any insight to that end.

How long had the water based tape that you removed been on there? If it hadn't been on a week or two and had had time to get to full cure, then you haven't really had the pleasure of removing tape that's water activated in it's nastiest form. Oh, and the longer it's on there, the worse it gets.

They used to sell it in rolls too but apparently it's out of stock. I have never had a problem with this stuff, even upon removal of the tape. Plus, with a child around, I can regrip in the living room... he even helps me know.